James L. Taylor

Worked In Family Firm

James L. Taylor, 90, retired vice chairman of Taylor Forge and Pipe Works, also served as vice president and secretary of firm founded by his father, J. Hall Taylor, in 1900.

A resident of Carefree, Ariz., and formerly of Oak Park and River Forest, he died at home Thursday.

The firm, originally known as American Spiral Pipe Works, was the world's largest manufacturer of forged steel flanges. They usually are used to connect pipes and originally were made ofiron, but they often broke easily. The Chicago-based company produced forged-steel ones that were used around the world. In the 1960s, it supplied parts for the Apollo space program.

Mr. Taylor graduated from Oak Park-River Forest High School and attended Oberlin College. He joined his father's firm part time while in his teens and started there full time as a draftsman. He retired in 1967 when Taylor Forge was acquired by Gulf & Western Industries, which later became part of Paramount Communications.

He was on the board and a life trustee of the Union League Boys and Girls Club.

"His was a very gentle and kind personality," said his daughter Edith Molumby. "He was interested in everyone and in what they were doing. People he did things with such as going fishing included laborers as well as CEOs."

Othe rsurvivors include another daughter, Barbara Birkos; a son, J. Hall II; and six grandchildren.